LAUSR

All neonates experience a downtrend in their hematocrit values following birth through normal falls in erythropoietin (Epo) production, transition to adult hemoglobin and hemodilution with somatic growth. However, this drop is more pronounced in critically ill and preterm neonates, and can lead to potentially pathologic anemia that impairs tissue oxygen delivery. In this review we highlight the mechanisms underlying physiologic anemia and anemia of prematurity and briefly review the evidence for treatment of anemia in the neonatal population, including use of red blood cell transfusions, erythropoietic stimulating agents, and iron supplementation.